San Cipriano

Location:
San Cipriano
Near Cali, Cali, Colombia

Adventure Tour

By Richard McColl

One of those experiences that just cannot be repeated elsewhere.The phrase "only in Colombia" springs to mind. San Cipriano is fast becoming a must-do activity for all those adventure seekers coming to Colombia and in particular those who find themselves in the environs of Cali.

What you find here is this: at Córdoba (two hours from Cali on the road to Buenaventura) there are train tracks that no longer have any trains running on them. The town of San Cipriano has effectively been cut off from civilization...except the locals have devised an ingenious way of bringing people in.

These guys have made their own carts that travel the train tracks, you can either choose a hand-pumped one or one attached to a motorcycle. Hop aboard and take in the stunning and lush scenery on the way to San Cipriano.

On arrival in San Cipriano - a very little town with some rope bridges, a couple of streets and a beautiful river with some rapids - you can hire inner tubes to spend an afternoon drifting down the river and working on your tan.

Getting There
Catch a bus from Cali going to Buenaventura and asked be dropped off at Cordoba (2 hours).

From Cordoba wander down the hill avoiding the unnecessary touts and pick out your cart of choice. 15 minutes later you are in San Cipriano.

Travel Tips: Be sure to leave San Cipriano before dusk to be able to catch a daytime bus back to Cali.

Price Description: Cart train $2-$3

Inner tubes $2

Relative price: Very cheap

Travel Skills: beginner/easy.